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United States Patent |
5,337,579
|
Saia, III
,   et al.
|
*
August 16, 1994
|
Portable self-contained cooler/freezer apparatus for use on airplanes,
common carrier type unrefrigerated truck lines, and the like
Abstract
A transportable container for carrying refrigerated products in frozen (sub
zero Fahrenheit) or refrigerated (for example, 40.degree. F.) temperatures
includes a structural container having an insulated outer shell with an
access doorway. The upper portion of the container includes a transverse
perforated baffle and positioned above the baffle are a pair of spaced
apart canisters containing liquid refrigerant (CO.sub.2, for example). A
gas or liquid feeder tube penetrates each bottle and communicates with an
on/off valve. A feeder tube can draw liquid to dispense for cooling, or it
can release gas and pressure within the canister to boil the CO.sub.2.
When CO.sub.2 reaches its boiling point, the canister, its bracket, and
the cold plate reach very cold temperatures to cool the cargo area. The
gas is released through copper tubing over the cold plate to act as a
method for convection. A temperature regulator valve dispenses CO.sub.2
from the canisters through a header in order to maintain a desired
temperature over a wide span of temperatures including, for example sub
zero temperatures (-20.degree. F., for example) up to room temperature.
Inventors:
|
Saia, III; Louis P. (Houma, LA);
Wilbrandt; Cynthia S. (Houma, LA)
|
Assignee:
|
The Pallet Reefer Company (Houma, LA)
|
[*] Notice: |
The portion of the term of this patent subsequent to June 30, 2009
has been disclaimed. |
Appl. No.:
|
905791 |
Filed:
|
June 29, 1992 |
Current U.S. Class: |
62/239; 62/52.1; 62/384; 62/457.9 |
Intern'l Class: |
B60H 001/32 |
Field of Search: |
62/239,52.1,457.9,384
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
2608832 | Sep., 1952 | Woods | 62/384.
|
3225822 | Dec., 1965 | Westling | 62/240.
|
3287925 | Nov., 1966 | Kane et al. | 62/52.
|
3561226 | Feb., 1971 | Rubin | 62/388.
|
3633381 | Jan., 1972 | Haaf et al. | 62/222.
|
3695056 | Oct., 1972 | Glynn et al. | 62/384.
|
3864936 | Feb., 1975 | Frank et al. | 62/384.
|
3889486 | Jun., 1975 | Hinkley et al. | 62/239.
|
3959982 | Jun., 1976 | Denis et al. | 62/223.
|
3961925 | Jun., 1976 | Rhoad | 62/376.
|
3977208 | Aug., 1976 | Heighton | 62/237.
|
4276752 | Jul., 1981 | Modler et al. | 62/166.
|
4399658 | Aug., 1983 | Nielsen | 62/52.
|
4407144 | Oct., 1983 | Garside | 62/239.
|
4459825 | Jul., 1984 | Crouch | 62/404.
|
4502293 | Mar., 1985 | Franklin, Jr. | 62/388.
|
4532774 | Aug., 1985 | Burns | 62/239.
|
4576017 | Mar., 1986 | Combs et al. | 62/372.
|
4580411 | Apr., 1986 | Orfitelli | 6/371.
|
4606195 | Aug., 1986 | Winkler | 62/384.
|
4621500 | Nov., 1986 | Pabani et al. | 62/239.
|
4704876 | Nov., 1987 | Hill | 62/388.
|
4716739 | Jan., 1988 | Harris et al. | 62/78.
|
4878360 | Nov., 1989 | Viegas | 62/239.
|
4882912 | Nov., 1989 | Fossey | 62/239.
|
5125237 | Jun., 1992 | Saia, III et al. | 62/239.
|
Other References
1975 Sea-Land Service, Inc. Brochure. Navieras Equipment Specifications and
Capacities Sheet.
|
Primary Examiner: Capossela; Ronald C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Pravel, Hewitt, Kimball & Krieger
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
07/602,856, filed Oct. 23, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,237 which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/493,298, filed
Mar. 14, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,402, which is a continuation of
Ser. No. 343,025, filed Apr. 24, 1989 (now abandoned) which is a
continuation of Ser. No. 119,702, filed Nov. 12, 1987, now U.S. Pat. No.
4,825,666, all incorporated herein by reference.
Claims
What is claimed as invention is:
1. A shipping container for shipping frozen and/or refrigerated cargo in an
unrefrigerated cargo area of a substantially larger transport vehicle
comprising:
a) a container having an interior area with a volume to be loaded with the
frozen and/or refrigerated cargo with an access opening that can be
opened/closed;
b) one or more refrigerant tanks mounted in the container for containing a
cryogenic liquified refrigerant under pressure to be utilized for cooling
the container interior;
c) discharge piping means for piping liquified refrigerant from the tanks;
d) valve means communicating with the discharge piping for valving the flow
of liquified refrigerant that is discharged from the tank;
e) temperature responsive controller means for opening the valve means to
dispense liquified refrigerant from the tanks in order to maintain a
desired preselected preset refrigerated or frozen temperature range within
the container interior;
f) wherein the liquified refrigerant converts to a gaseous phase downstream
of the valve means; and
g) an undercarriage portion at the lower end of the container that includes
moving means for transporting the container quickly to and from the cargo
area of an unrefrigerated vehicle having a substantially larger volume
than the container volume.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for controlling the
gaseous oxygen concentration within the container.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 including in part a cylinder containing gaseous
oxygen under pressure.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for controlling the
carbon dioxide concentration within the container.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 further including a carbon dioxide level
analyzer and a carbon dioxide controller for maintaining carbon dioxide
level below a preset maximum level.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising atmosphere control means,
communicating with the container interior for selecting controlling the
gaseous atmosphere within the interior.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, further including at least an oxygen level
sensor located within the interior of the container and for monitoring
oxygen levels within the interior.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the oxygen level is controlled between
pre set, high and low oxygen set points.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a pressure regulator for
controlling the pressure of gaseous oxygen discharged into the container
interior.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a control valve for valving
gaseous oxygen flow to the container interior.
11. The apparatus of claim 6 including at least a carbon dioxide level
sensor located within the interior of the container and for monitoring
carbon dioxide levels within the interior.
12. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising nitrogen level control
means for controlling an injection of nitrogen into the container interior
to lower carbon dioxide concentration when the level of carbon dioxide
exceeds a pre-set maximum level.
13. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising absorbent means for
removing excess quantities of carbon dioxide from the container interior.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising absorbent means for
removing gaseous ethylene from the container interior.
15. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising exhaust valve means for
venting the container interior.
16. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising dispensing means positioned
at the bottom end portion of the container for dispensing selected gases
for atmosphere control at the bottom of the container.
17. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising recirculation fan means for
agitating air within the container interior.
18. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for controlling
humidity within the container interior.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 including a humidity controller for
regulating the level of moisture in the atmosphere within the container
interior.
20. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a closed loop piping
temperature system for controlling container interior without substantial
loss of the refrigerant.
21. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein liquid refrigerant expands to a
gaseous form downstream of the valve means and is dispensed into the
container interior.
22. A transportable refrigeration system for use on unrefrigerated trucks
and the like, comprising:
a) a self-supporting container having an interior for carrying refrigerated
or frozen cargo and adapted to be lifted;
b) lower most lifting means positioned at the bottom of the container for
quickly transferring the container into and out of an unrefrigerated
truck;
c) a canister for containing cryogenic liquid refrigerant under pressure;
d) manifold means for transmitting refrigerant from the canister to the
container interior;
e) a pressure control valve for controlling the pressure of liquid
refrigerant discharged from the canister to the manifold means;
f) temperature control means positioned at least partially within the
container for controlling temperature within the container interior by
activating the valve to release liquid refrigerant from the canister via
the manifold means.
23. The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising means for controlling the
amount of oxygen within the container.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the container has a base plate
having two spaced apart, parallel slots adapted to be engaged by a
forklift lifting device.
25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the canister and manifold are
positioned in the top portion of the container interior.
26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the canister, pressure control
valve, temperature control means, manifold are positioned in the top
portion of the container interior.
27. A portable transportable refrigeration system for use on airplanes and
the like, comprising:
a) a self-supporting container having an interior for carrying refrigerated
or frozen cargo and adapted to be lifted;
b) a canister for containing liquid refrigerant under pressure, positioned
in the upper end portion of the container interior;
c) a movable perforated baffle plate extending across the container
interior at the upper end portion thereof and positioned directly under
the canister; and
d) temperature control means, communicating with the canister for
controlling temperature within the interior, and including:
(i) manifold header means for discharging liquid refrigerant from the
canister and including means for preliminarily charging the container
interior with refrigerant from an external bulk source;
(ii) a pressure control valve for controlling the pressure of fluid
discharged from the canister;
(iii) a temperature control valve positioned in the header downstream of
the pressure control valve for controlling temperature within the
interior.
28. A method of transporting refrigerated products within the interior of
an unrefrigerated dry type truck comprising the steps of:
a) housing the products in an insulated container with an interior for
holding products that is substantially smaller in volume than the truck
cargo interior volume;
b) cooling the container interior with a liquid cryogenic refrigerant that
is dispensed from a canister that is contained within the container
interior;
c) valving the flow of liquid refrigerant discharging from the canister
using a liquid control valve;
d) controlling temperature within the container interior by controlling the
degree of opening of the valve.
29. A method of shipping refrigerated perishable goods in an unrefrigerated
interior area of a common carrier type truck having a larger internal
cargo holding area and between truck terminals comprising the steps of:
a) placing the perishable goods into one or more structural containers that
can be placed into the cargo area of the truck;
b) cooling the perishable goods by dispensing a liquid refrigerant from one
or more liquid refrigerant containing canisters that are transported
within the containers;
c) using a valve to dispense liquid refrigerant coolant from the canisters;
d) controlling temperature within the container interior area by a control
of the degree of opening of the valve; and
e) transferring the containers to and from one track to another at the
common carrier truck terminals.
30. The method of claim 28 or 29 further comprising the step of controlling
the gaseous atmosphere within the container interior.
31. The method of claim 30 wherein oxygen content within the container
interior is controlled.
32. The method of claim 30 wherein carbon dioxide content within the
container is controlled.
33. The method of claim 30 wherein the humidity of the container atmosphere
is controlled.
34. The method of claim 28 or 29 wherein in step "C" refrigerant is
dispensed directly into the container interior.
35. A shipping container for shipping frozen and/or refrigerated cargo in
an unrefrigerated cargo area of a substantially larger transport vehicle
comprising:
a) a container having an interior area with a volume to be loaded with the
frozen and/or refrigerated cargo with an access opening that can be
opened/closed;
b) a refrigerant tank mounted in the container for containing a cryogenic
liquified refrigerant under pressure to be utilized for cooling the
container interior;
c) discharge piping means for piping liquified refrigerant from the tank;
d) valve means communicating with the discharge piping for valving the flow
of liquified refrigerant that is discharged from the tank;
e) temperature responsive controller means for opening the valve means to
dispense liquified refrigerant from the tank in order to maintain a
desired preselected preset refrigerated or frozen temperature range within
the container interior;
f) wherein the liquified refrigerant converts to a gaseous phase downstream
of the valve means; and
g) contact-prevention means for preventing direct contact between
refrigerant dispensed from the tank and air in the interior area of the
container.
36. The shipping container of claim 35, wherein the contact-prevention
means includes a chamber means in fluid communication with the discharge
piping and in thermal communication with the air in the interior area of
the container.
37. The shipping container of claim 36, wherein the contact-prevention
means further includes a tube means for directing refrigerant from the
chamber means to exterior of the container without coming into direct
contact with the air in the interior area of the container.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to refrigerated containers having
self-contained refrigeration systems. Even more particularly, the present
invention relates to an improved portable self-contained cooler/freezer
apparatus wherein either an external bulk supply or self-contained carbon
dioxide canister dispense CO.sub.2 or like liquid coolant through a
manifold and plate like diffuse system to regulate temperature within the
container, and wherein a temperature controlled solenoid valve dispenses
CO.sub.2 or like coolant as needed into the container interior. The plate
like diffuser allows use of the shipping container walls to cool.
2. General Background
Many truck lines use refrigerated trucks to carry food products over long
distances. Typically, such a truck is designed to carry either frozen
foods or foods that must be maintained in higher, but still refrigerated
temperatures, such as, for example, 40.degree. F. These trucks typically
carry either refrigerated or frozen food only and differ from the typical
common carrier truck which is unrefrigerated and which carries any of a
number of bulk, unrefrigerated commodities, such as palletized loads of
any general merchandise, product, or equipment. Presently, there does not
exist a means for carrying refrigerated and/or frozen food products over
long distances of several hundred or even thousands of miles via common
carrier, namely, with trucks that are not refrigerated but which have
space for holding any number of general commodities.
Several devices have been patented which have attempted to provide portable
refrigeration devices. An example is U.S. Pat. No. 3,633,381, entitled
"Open-Cycle Portable Refrigerator." In that patent there is disclosed a
portable refrigerator employing an open cycle system. A stored compressed
gas, such as carbon dioxide is passed from the storage container through
an evaporator which comprises a serpentine passageway for the gas in a
surrounding medium, such as water, an aqueous solution, which is
maintained frozen due to the passage of the expanding compressed gas
through the coiled passageway. The temperature of the evaporated medium is
lower than the ambient temperature of the interior or the container
comprising the storage portion of the refrigerator which is cooled
thereby. The gas passing through the evaporator may be exhausted into the
interior of the container whereby the cooler air which is next to the
evaporator medium is circulated throughout the interior of the container.
A portable ice chest having a refrigeration unit is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 3,959,982. A substantially closed refrigeration receptacle in fluid
communication with the outlet side of the primary evaporator receives the
refrigerant which may not have completely evaporated, and separates the
phases by venting the evaporated gas phase to the atmosphere while
directing the unevaporated liquid refrigerant into a second evaporated
coil wherein it is completely evaporated. The thermostatically controlled
valve regulates the flow of refrigerant to the primary evaporator as a
function of temperature within the chest.
Several systems have been patented which use liquid carbon dioxide as part
of a refrigeration system. Notice for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,399,658,
entitled "Refrigeration System With Carbon Dioxide Injector," issued to
Nielsen; U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,825, entitled "Apparatus For Controlled
Reduction In Temperature and Preservation Of Embryos In A Cryogenic
State," issued to Crouch; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,411, entitled "Liquid
Nitrogen Freezer," issued to James Orfitelli.
Several patents have been issued which relate to shipping containers that
have, in some cases, self-contained refrigeration systems. Examples of
these shipping containers include U.S. Pat. No. 3,961,925, issued to
Rhoad; U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,293, issued to Franklin; U.S. Pat. No.
4,576,017, issued to Combs et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,606,195, issued to
Winkler.
The Rhoad U.S. Pat. No. 3,961,925 provides a portable self-contained
refrigerated storage and transportation container for preserving
perishable commodities and includes an insulated storage chamber for
perishable commodities. A recirculating liquid cooling system is provided
within the container and includes conduit and nozzle means disposed within
the storage chamber adapted to spray a liquid coolant, such as chilled
brine directly onto the perishable commodities to maintain them in a
uniform cooled temperature. The sprayed liquid coolant is collected in the
bottom portion of the storage chamber. A closed refrigeration system is
also provided within the container and includes in part heat exchange
means disposed within the bottom portion of the storage chamber for
cooling the sprayed liquid coolant which has collected there.
The Franklin U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,293, entitled "Container CO.sub.2 Cooling
System," provides a generally rectangular container that includes an
insulated top, bottom, opposite sides and opposite end walls. An
upstanding transverse insulated hollow housing is mounted within the
container adjacent one end thereof and a CO.sub.2 snow cabinet constructed
of good heat transfer material is disposed within the housing with
opposing wall portions of the cabinet and housing passing exteriorly about
the cabinet. A heat insulative horizontal baffle is mounted within the
container spaced below the top wall and extends between the sidewalls
thereof. The baffle defines a cooled air passage beneath the top wall
extending lengthwise of the container. The airflow passage includes an
outlet end adjacent and in at least reasonably closed communication with
the end of the cooled air passage adjacent the aforementioned one
container end wall and an inlet end opening outwardly of the housing into
the interior of the container below the baffle. The end of the cooled air
passage adjacent the other container end wall opens into the interior of
the container and thermostatically controllable air pump structure is
provided to effect airflow inwardly of the inlet of the airflow passage,
through the airflow passage and into the cooled air passage. Further,
structure is provided for spray discharging of liquid CO.sub.2 into the
interior of the upper portion of the cabinet and into the airflow passage
at points spaced therealong in order to form CO.sub.2 snow therein.
The Combs U.S. Pat. No. 4,576,017, discloses a container for maintaining
its contents at a desired temperature for an extended period of time, such
as for use in shipping contents in a frozen condition. The container
includes an outer shell which is substantially air tight and which has an
inner surface, a pass of heat exchange medium, a support structure for the
heat exchange medium, and means for maintaining an air space between the
contents of the container and substantially the entire inner surface of
the outer shell of the container and between the contents of the container
and the support structure for the heat exchange medium for allowing
convection current to develop in the inner space which circulates past the
heat exchange medium and maintains a substantially uniform temperature
around the contents of the container.
In the Winkler U.S. Pat. No. 4,606,195, entitled "Hypobaric Container,"
there is provided a storage device having a walled inner and outer
container and a compressed gas supply contained within the device. A
conduit is provided from the gas supply to the inner container and a
control valve for the conduit responsive to pressures above and below a
super atmospheric pressure value are provided for closing and opening the
valve.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention solves the problems and shortcomings of the prior art
in a simple straightforward manner by providing an improved portable
transportable refrigeration system for use on common carrier type truck
lines, for example. The apparatus comprises a self-supporting container
having an interior for carrying refrigerated or frozen cargo and adapted
to be lifted by a forklift, for example. A canister for containing a
liquid refrigerant under pressure is positioned in the upper end portion
of the container interior. A pivotally movable perforated baffle plate
extends transversely across the container interior at the upper end
portion thereof and is positioned directly under the canister. The baffle
plate can optionally contain the canisters and manifold with a "floor" to
hold frost, ice, and coolness against the canisters and manifold when the
device is preliminarily charged with coolant from an external "bulk"
source. A temperature control communicates with the canister for
controlling temperature within the interior and includes a manifold header
for discharging liquid refrigerant from the canister. The manifold header
includes a preferably externally extending inlet opening receptive of a
source of bulk CO.sub.2 for quick charging the unit interior with CO.sub.2
so that the canisters need only maintain coolness. Further, the manifold
can be used to charge the canisters when empty with liquid CO.sub.2 from
any bulk external supply source of liquid CO.sub.2 or like refrigerant. A
pressure control valve controls the pressure of fluid discharged from the
canister, and a temperature valve is positioned in the header downstream
of the pressure control valve which thus controls temperature within the
interior and over a wide temperature span of, for example -20.degree. F.
to 70.degree. F. Henceforth very accurate temperatures can be maintained.
Canisters have bent tubes that can be positioned to vent either gas or
liquid. For liquid, the tubes point down and for gas the tubes point up.
In the preferred embodiment, the container includes a base plate having two
spaced apart parallel slots adapted to be engaged by a forklift lifting
device. The apparatus in the preferred embodiment includes an array of
perforations extending over a substantial portion of the hinged baffle
plate.
In the preferred embodiment, the canister, the pressure control valve, and
the temperature control valve, as well as the header, are positioned above
the baffle plate.
In the preferred embodiment, the manifold header is in the elongated tube
having an external inlet that allows the manifold to be connected to an
external CO.sub.2 "bulk" supply for either charging the canisters when
empty, or for quick cooling the container interior before a shipment.
In the preferred embodiment, the container includes a vertical access
doorway that extends substantially the full height of the container,
terminating below the hinged baffle plate in its hinged position.
In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a valve which
communicates with internal vent tubes that can optionally remove either
gas or liquid from the canister.
In the preferred embodiment, the valve includes bent tubes or ducts
extending internally and to the side inner wall of the canister from the
valve structure, and positioned to dispense either liquid or gas
respectively when the canisters are in their usual horizontal position.
In the preferred embodiment, there are a pair of canisters and the manifold
header is positioned above the baffle plate and generally between the
canisters.
Use of the hinged transverse plate with perforations allows the canister,
the pressure control valve, the temperature control valve and the header
to be "quick frozen" by an external source of liquid refrigerant via the
manifold header before the entire apparatus is shipped. The perforations
thus define with the sides of the overall container a smaller interior
space that closely surrounds the canister, and the header, so that when
liquid refrigerant from an external source is added to the smaller
interior area above the baffle, the smaller interior area of the baffle,
the smaller interior space is filled with solid CO.sub.2 and snow and at
very low temperatures without affecting the components of the
refrigeration system used to ship at temperatures above 0.degree. F.
"Blasting" the container with the hinged perforated baffle plate down is
used when quick chilling is desired to commence loading the container for
product which requires accurate temperatures in the range of -10.degree.
F. to 70.degree. F. This feature and process very much extends the period
of time during which materials can be kept refrigerated.
"Quick chilling" prior to use and prior to shipping prevents the canisters
from losing supply by bringing a "hot" box to a lower desired temperature,
so that the canisters may not, for example, begin the operation of
dispensing cooling CO.sub.2 for several hours after the goods are shipped.
One embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention includes a means
for venting expended cooling gas out of the container. The means for
venting expended cooling gas out of the container includes a cooling plate
into which gas is released and a tube for directing expended gas from the
plate to outside of the container. By preventing direct contact between
the cooling gas and the cargo, live cargo, such as animals, or other
delicate cargo, such as fresh flowers, can be transported in the container
without being asphyxiated or otherwise hurt or damaged by the cooling gas.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A better understanding of the invention can be had when the detailed
description of a preferred embodiment set forth below is considered in
conjunction with the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective partially cutaway view of the preferred embodiment
of the apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the
apparatus of the present invention illustrating an optional header system;
FIG. 3 is a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus
of the present invention illustrating the preferred valved construction
for the dual valve portion thereof; and
FIG. 5 is a side fragmentary view illustrating the dual on/off valve
portion of the apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 6 shows a sectional elevational view of the preferred embodiment of
the apparatus of the present invention illustrating a piping arrangement
used for charging the container and/or filling the canisters.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the
present invention having means for controlling the atmosphere within a
container.
FIG. 8 is a sectional end view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention
utilizing a closed-loop system for cooling a container.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention
which can be used to transport air cargo.
FIG. 11 is a schematic, elevational view illustrating the shipping method
of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a top, partially cut-away view of another embodiment of the
present invention, one which vents expended cooling gas outside of the
container.
FIG. 13 is a side, partially cut-away view of the embodiment of FIG. 12.
FIG. 14 is a schematic view illustrating the operation of the cooling
system of the embodiment of FIG. 12.
FIG. 15 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIGS. 1-3 show generally the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the
present invention designated generally by the numeral 10.
In FIG. 1, there can be seen an enlarged rectangular transportable box-like
container 12 having an upper surface 13 and a plurality of side walls 14,
15, 16, 17 forming an enclosure with a bottom 18 portion of the container.
The bottom 18 includes a pair of spaced apart recesses 19, 20, for
example, which can be used to form a connection with the times of a fork
lift so that the container 10 can be easily moved and transported about,
such as during unloading or loading of trucks or airplanes. Thus, the
present invention provides a method of transporting refrigerated products
within the interior of an unrefrigerated dry-type truck (see FIG. 11)
comprising the steps of first housing the products in an insulated
container 10 with an interior for holding products that is substantially
smaller in volume than the truck T cargo interior volume. The container
interior is cooled with a liquid cryogenic refrigerant that is dispensed
from a canister that is contained within the container interior. The flow
of liquid refrigerant is discharged from the canister using a liquid
control valve and the temperature within the container interior is
controlled by an opening and closing of the valve. Thus, the truck T can
contain the containers 10 within the cargo area CA along with
non-refrigerated non-perishable goods designated generally by the letter G
in FIG. 11. In FIG. 11, a fork lift-type lifting mechanism FL is shown
lifting a container 10 into the truck T cargo area CA.
The apparatus 10 can include an access doorway 21 that would preferably be
vertically oriented and pivotally attached, having closure latches 22, 23
thus allowing access through door 21 into the interior 24 of container 12.
Container 12 would be manufactured, for example, of welded stainless or
welded aluminum construction. The bottom section of container 12 defines a
reservoir to hold any water that accumulates during use. A valved drain 5
can be used to remove water during or after use from the reservoir.
A hinged transverse perforated baffle 25 extends across the upper portion
of container 12 defining an uppermost interior compartment 26 that
contains canisters 27, 28. Baffle plate 25 is hingedly connected to
container rear wall 16 along edge 25A so that the baffle plate 25 can
swing down into a generally vertical position adjacent rear wall 16 (when
the apparatus is to be used for shipping product in a cooled but not
frozen condition). The baffle plate 25 swings into a horizontal position
as shown in FIG. 1, creating the confined compartment area 26 about
canisters 27, 28, when the apparatus is to be used for shipping product in
a frozen condition. Plate 25 is held in the upper horizontal position
using a latch (not shown) or removable thumb screws or such like means.
Canisters 27, 28 are preferably canisters containing liquid refrigerant,
preferably carbon dioxide or a like refrigerant, such as nitrogen, and the
canisters are positioned upon their sides in a horizontal position, as
shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The plate 25 preferably includes a plurality of
perforations therethrough designated as 29 in FIG. 1. The canisters 27, 28
are each equipped with exit valves 30, 31 which communicate with header 32
that connects with manifold header 33 positioned generally between
canisters 27, 28 and generally parallel thereto, as shown in FIG. 1.
Manifold 33 has an externally extended end portion 33A (FIG. 6) that is an
inlet fitting which allows a "bulk" external source of liquid refrigerant
such as CO.sub.2 to be transmitted to the manifold header 33 for two
purposes as selectively desired. Firstly, the manifold header can "quick
cool" the interior 24 with CO.sub.2 from the bulk source before a
shipment. Normally, if frozen foods are being shipped, the baffle plate is
put in the upper position (FIG. 1) and CO.sub.2 is blasted into the
confined compartment 26 covering the canisters 27, 28 and header with ice
and generally filling the area 26 with ice and snow. Secondly, the
manifold can be used to fill the tanks 27, 28 when they are empty.
A valve interfacing manifold 33 and header 32 controls flow from manifold
fitting 33A to either tanks 27, 28 (for filling) or to header 33. The
container 12 would preferably be equipped with an externally mounted
temperature gauge 34 so that a user can view the internal temperature 24
by viewing the thermometer 34, even when the door 21 is closed.
Pressure gauge 35 could also extend externally of container 12 so that the
pressure within header 32 could be viewed externally of the apparatus 10.
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the valves 30 and/or 31 would be opened
allowing carbon dioxide to flow through header 32 and into perforated tube
33 so that CO.sub.2 would enter the internal portion 26 of box 12 above
perforated plate 25 causing cold air to refrigerate that portion of the
box 12 interior 24.
The use of transverse plate 25 allows the interior 26 of box 12 above plate
25 to be preliminarily frozen using, for example, a blast of CO.sub.2 from
an external source, a source other than canisters 27, 28 before the box is
to be shipped. This allows a frozen condition above plate 25 which
supplements the amount of cooling that would otherwise be required to keep
the entire container 12 at a particular refrigerated temperature. Thus,
before shipment, the common carrier would simply blast the container for a
specified period of time and quickly lower the temperature of the
container to reduce the work load on the canisters. This allows the boxes
to be shipped over much longer distances than ordinarily would be possible
if only cooling from canisters 27, 28 were used.
The embodiment of FIG. 2 is alternate construction for the arrangement of
canisters 27, 28 and the header and valves. In the embodiment of FIG. 2,
designated generally by the numeral 40, there can be seen a pair of
canisters 27, 28 having positioned therebetween an elongated header 41
which is a gas exhaust header and includes tube sections 42-46 which are
generally parallel and a plurality of elbow tubes 47-50 connecting the
tube sections, as shown in the drawings end to end, to form an elongated
header for gas exhaust.
A pair of dual on/off exhaust valves, (See FIGS. 4 and 5) 51, 52 each
provide a gas feeder tube 53, 54 and a liquid feeder tube 55, 56
respectively. A transverse flow line 59 connects valves 51, 52 while a
lowermost transverse flowline 67 also connects the lower end portion of
valves 51, 52. Pressure regulator 57 regulates the pressure of gas leaving
canisters 27, 28 through transverse header 59. Discharge flowline 60
communicates with pressure regulator 57 and with dual temperature
regulator valve 62.
A temperature probe 61 senses temperature within the container 24 below
baffle 25 so that the temperature probe dictates when gaseous CO.sub.2 is
discharged through valve 62 through discharge line 63 which communicates
with gas exhaust header 41. Transverse flowline 67 receives liquid
CO.sub.2 from valves 51, 52 as the lines 55, 56 typically collect liquid
CO.sub.2 from canisters 27, 28. Liquid CO.sub.2 thus enters liquid
carrying heat exchanger coil 65 through flowline 68. The liquid carrying
heat exchange coil 65 can be provided, as shown in the drawing, with a
plurality of transverse fins 70 for efficiency purposes in heat transfer
between the air within container 12 interior and the liquid-carrying coil
65. Line 66 would be connected back to dual temperature regulator valve 62
so that as the liquid could become gaseous at valve 62, it also could be
discharged through outlet 63 into gas exhaust header 41. Header 72 is
preferably an elongated cylindrical tube having a plurality of openings
spaced along the length thereof, with an inlet 72A extending externally of
the container 12 so that a bulk CO.sub.2 source can be used to
preliminarily charge and cool container 12. The header 72 could be piped
(and appropriately valved) to canisters 27, 28 so that the canisters 27,
28 could be charged when empty from a bulk CO.sub.2 source via header
inlet 72A. It should be understood that the elongated header tube 72 is in
communication with gas exhaust header 41 so that the gas contained within
header 41 eventually can be discharged through openings in header tube 72.
Valve 64 is provided to regulate flow between canisters 27 and 28.
FIG. 3 shows another embodiment 140 of the invention wherein a transverse
pan 75 is used immediately under the gas exhaust header tubes. The pan 75
can wrap around the canisters 27, 28 as shown to form a tray that holds
ice and snow.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show more particularly the construction of dual on/off valves
51, 52 each comprising a valve body 80 that communicates with a pair of
internal passageways 81, 82. The passageway 81 communicates with tubes 53,
54 while the passageway 82 communicates with tubes 55, 56. Transverse
passageways 88, 89 communicate respectively with externally extending
transverse ports 86, 87 which preferably form connections with transverse
headers 59, 67. Thus, header 59 connects to the uppermost port 86 of
valves 51, 52 while the lowermost port 87 connects with header 67. An
opening of each valve by rotating the spigots 83, 84 open the ports 88, 89
so that flow can proceed respectively via tubes 53, 54 and passageway 81
(with respect to the opening 88 and spigot 83) or via tubes 55, 56 through
passageway 82 and opening 89. Thus using the dual valve of FIGS. 4 and 5,
either gas or liquid or both, could be removed from canisters 27, 28.
In FIG. 6 there can be seen a piping detail which specifies a piping
arrangement that can be used to either charge the canisters 27, 28 when
they are empty, or blast liquid or gas CO.sub.2 directly into the
container interior. The inlet header 33 is equipped with an external
fitting 33A that extends beyond the container wall 14. The header 33
connects with a T 90 which carries a pressure indicator P. A second
downstream T 91 communicates with an elbow 92 that is equipped with a
valve 93. The valve 93 controls the flow of fluid from T 91 through elbow
92 and downstream to header 94 which is equipped with a series of
perforations or ports 95. When valve 93 is open, and a source of bulk
CO.sub.2 attached at fitting 33, a large volume of liquid CO.sub.2 or
CO.sub.2 gas can be immediately charged into the container interior via
the header 94 and more particularly through the series of ports 95.
When valve 93 is closed, the header 33 can be used to either fill canisters
27, 28 through cross 950 which contains a pair of lateral lines 96, 97
which would communicate through appropriate piping with valves 30, 32 so
that when valve 93 is closed, bulk CO.sub.2 added through fitting 33A can
fill canisters 27, 28. Downstream of cross 950 is a pipe section 98 which
communicates with temperature responsive control valve 99 that
communicates with downstream affluent header 100 and more particularly
with the orifice fitting 101 portion thereof. This would be a relatively
small orifice opening 101. During use, the valve 93 would first be opened
to charge the container 12 with a blast of CO.sub.2 to lower the
temperature. After this initial blast from a bulk CO.sub.2 source, the
valve 93 would be closed. Thereafter, the temperature responsive valve 99
would only open when needed to supply CO.sub.2 from canisters 27, 28 into
the container interior by discharging the CO.sub.2 into the cross fitting
950 so that it could flow through the valve 99 to the orifice 101. Thus,
with the present invention a bulk CO.sub.2 source could be initially used
to greatly lower the temperature of the cargo and thereafter the canisters
would only be needed to maintain that temperature. Thus, the bulk source
could be used to supply much of the cooling that was needed to lower the
temperature, with the canisters 27, 28 only being needed on a maintenance
basis after the shipment was sent.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present
invention, apparatus 110. Apparatus 110 comprises a container 112, and has
means therein for controlling the atmosphere of interior 124 of container
112. Although not shown in FIG. 7, apparatus 110 preferably includes
canisters 27 and 28, which may contain nitrogen or carbon dioxide.
Apparatus 110 preferably also includes a canister (not shown) which
contains oxygen. The atmosphere of the interior 124 of container 112 is
controlled by a number of valves, including valves 83, 84, 183, 193, 199,
293, 299, and 399. Valves 83 control the flow of nitrogen gas or carbon
dioxide gas from canisters 27 and 28. Valves 84 control the flow of liquid
carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen from canisters 27 and 28. Valves 83 and
84 are hand regulating valves.
Valve 183 controls the flow of gaseous oxygen from a container (not shown)
containing oxygen. Three-way valve 193 allows bulk fill of canisters 27
and 28 with carbon dioxide or nitrogen. Solenoid-actuated valve 199
controls the injection of liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide.
Solenoid-actuated valve 399 controls the injection of gaseous nitrogen or
carbon dioxide. Three-way valve 293 is provided to allow bulk fill of the
oxygen container (not shown). Pressure regulator 157 controls the pressure
in the oxygen line.
Solenoid-actuated valve 299 is provided to allow oxygen injection. Sensor
161 is connected to analyzer 132, which has a maximum limit set point
controller. Sensor 161 may be either a nitrogen or carbon dioxide sensor,
depending upon whether nitrogen or carbon dioxide is contained in
canisters 27 and 28. Likewise, analyzer 132 may analyze either nitrogen or
carbon dioxide.
Sensor 261 senses oxygen content within interior 124 of container 112.
Sensor 261 is connected to oxygen analyzer 131. Analyzer 131 controls the
amount of 02 between minimum and maximum limit set points.
Temperature sensor 61 is connected to temperature controller 130.
Temperature controller 130 includes a set point. When the temperature
inside interior 124 rises above the set point, controller 130 causes
solenoid-actuated valve 199 to open to allow injection of nitrogen or
carbon dioxide into interior 124 to cool the contents of container 112.
A rechargeable battery 120 provides electricity needed to run analyzers 131
and 132, temperature controller 130, and fans 135 and 136 (see FIG. 8).
Fans 135 and 136 helps circulate the gases within interior 124 so that the
temperature within container 112 is approximately uniform throughout.
Apparatus 110 is useful when transporting materials which require a
controlled amount of oxygen (such as live plants or animals).
Oxygen analyzer 131 and sensor 261 detect the amount of oxygen in container
112. When the oxygen level drops below the minimum limit set point,
analyzer 131 communicates with solenoid-actuated valve 299 to allow more
oxygen to enter the interior 124 of container 112, until the amount of
oxygen reaches the maximum limit set point, at which point valve 299
closes. Should the amount of oxygen rise above the maximum limit set
point, then analyzer 131 causes solenoid-actuated valve 399 to open,
allowing the emission of nitrogen or carbon dioxide gas into interior 124
until the oxygen level is reduced below the maximum limit set point.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present
invention, apparatus 210. Apparatus 210 includes a closed-loop cooling
system. The cooling system comprises a CO.sub.2 slush vessel 127, cooling
fins 128, valves 155, 193, and 199, a positive displacement diaphragm pump
150, and a fan 235 for forced air convection. When temperature controller
130 detects that the temperature of interior 224 of container 212 has
risen above the pre-set temperature, it causes positive displacement
diaphragm pump 150 to pump CO.sub.2 from vessel 127 through fins 128 and
it causes fan 235 to turn on. As the CO.sub.2 moves through fins 128, it
lowers the temperature of the fins, and fans 235 blows the cold gas
downward in the interior 224 of container 212. The CO.sub.2 returns from
fins 128 to CO.sub.2 slush vessel 127. Pressure relief valve 155 is
provided to allow pressure to be released from CO.sub.2 slush vessel 127.
The use of apparatus 210 with its closed-loop cooling system is
advantageous when one does not wish to have the cooling gas (carbon
dioxide or nitrogen, for example) mixed with the contents in the container
212.
Although container 212 is shown without a top, it could include a flat top
17 as in containers 12 and 112, or it could contain a curved top like the
one in container 312 (see FIG. 10).
FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the present invention, apparatus 310.
Apparatus 310 includes a container 312 which has a top shaped to easily
fit within an aircraft. Container 312 may include any of the cooling
systems and controlled atmosphere systems discussed in conjunction with
the previous embodiments.
Container 312 preferably does not exceed 125 inches in any dimension, and
more preferably does not exceed 80 inches in height, 90 inches in width,
and 125 inches in length.
FIGS. 12-15 show another embodiment of the present invention, apparatus
410, which includes a cooling system 440 in a container 412. Apparatus 410
includes a means for venting expended cooling gas out of container 412.
The means for venting expended cooling gas out of container 412 includes a
cooling plate 441 into which gas is released and a tube 442 for directing
expended gas from plate 441 to outside of container 412. By preventing
direct contact between the cooling gas and the cargo, live cargo, such as
animals, or other delicate cargo, such as fresh flowers, can be
transported in container 412 without being asphyxiated or otherwise hurt
or damaged by the cooling gas. Otherwise, the functioning of apparatus 410
is similar to that of the other embodiments, with pressure regulator 57
cooperating with thermal expansion valve 457 and temperature responsive
control valve 99 to keep the interior of container 412 at a desired,
predetermined temperature.
Vent tube 442 preferably contains a back-pressure regulator (not shown) to
prevent air from outside container 412 from entering cooling system 440.
As can be seen in FIG. 13, cooling system 440 is positioned adjacent the
top of container 412, in the upper half of container 412. In this manner
the cool air adjacent cooling plate 441, being heavier than the warmer air
in the remainder of container 412, will settle to the bottom of container
412, cooling the air in between.
While cooling plate 441 is preferably placed in the upper part of container
412, adjacent the top thereof, it could be placed adjacent a side of
container 412. A fan (not shown) could be used to circulate air withing
container 412.
Plate 441 has a coil 443 that receives coolant (see FIG. 14). Coil 443
cools plate 441, and plate 441 cools the air in the interior of container
412.
Cooling plate 441 could be replaced with an evaporator core or another type
of heat exchanger.
Container 412 may include any of the cooling systems and controlled
atmosphere systems discussed in conjunction with the previous embodiments,
as long as some means are provided to prevent the cooling gas from being
vented directly into the air in container 412.
Container 412 includes a door 421, hinges 432 and 433, and closure latches
422 and 423 for keeping door 421 closed.
Cooling plate 441 and vent tube 442 act as a contact-prevention means for
preventing direct fluid contact between refrigerant dispensed from the
tanks 27 and 28 and air in the interior area of container 412. Cooling
plate 441 is a chamber means in fluid communication with the discharge
piping and in thermal, but not fluid, communication with the air in the
interior area of container 412.
Tube 442 is a tube means for directing refrigerant from the interior of
cooling plate 441 to exterior of container 412 without coming into direct
contact with the air in the interior area of container 412.
Container 412 preferably does not exceed 125 inches in any dimension, and
more preferably does not exceed 80 inches in height, 90 inches in width,
and 125 inches in length.
In view of the numerous modifications which could be made to the preferred
embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the scope or spirit of
the present invention, the details herein are to be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
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